Tag: David Benavidez

Canelo Alvarez vs. Jaime Munguia set for May 4 in Las Vegas: reports

Canelo Alvarez vs. Jaime Munguia is set for May 4 in Las Vegas, according to reports.

Canelo Alvarez finally has his dance partner for May 4.

The undisputed 168-pound champion from Mexico will defend his titles against unbeaten countryman Jaime Munguia on Prime Video Pay-Per-View from Las Vegas, according to reports.

And he completed the deal with Premier Boxing Champions, the company from which he had split only days ago. That could mean a potential showdown with David Benavidez, a PBC fighter, is still in play for the fall.

No formal announcement has been made. And the site hasn’t been determined.

Alvarez’s pursuit of an opponent for Cinco de Mayo weekend seemed to be interminable.

He announced cryptically on social media a few weeks ago that he would fight an “American”, which most observers took to mean 160-pound beltholder Jermall Charlo. The two had been in talks for some time.

However, Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) and Charlo couldn’t come to terms. Alvarez then left PBC after the first fight in a three-fight deal, which some reports indicated stemmed from Alvarez’s refusal to commit to a fight with Benavidez in September.

That’s when Munguia (43-0, 34 KOs) became the leading candidate even though he’s not American.

Alvarez reportedly had been working with Matchroom Boxing in an attempt to nail down an opponent for May 4 – which is only two months away – but they evidently couldn’t get it done, which prompted Alvarez to return to PBC.

Munguia is a strapping 27-year-old from Tijuana, just south of the U.S. border. The former 154-pound titleholder is an improving boxer with a great deal of power, as his 34 stoppages indicate.

He’s coming off a brutal knockout of normally durable John Ryder on Jan. 27, when he put the Englishman down four times before knocking him out in the ninth round with new trainer Freddie Roach in his corner.

That followed a unanimous, but close decision over tough veteran Sergey Derevyanchenko last June, which was another significant accomplishment.

Of course, neither Ryder nor Derevyanchenko are in the class of Alvarez. That means we’ll learn exactly how good Munguia really is in this fight.

Alvarez is coming off his strongest performance in a few years, a near-shutout decision over Jermell Charlo (Jermall’s twin) last September. He had battled injuries in his previous few fights.

Meanwhile, Benavidez is expected to face Oleksandr Gvozdyk at 175 pounds in June, although no announcement has been made. Benavidez has said he will be able to come back down to 168 if necessary.

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Canelo Alvarez vs. Jaime Munguia set for May 4 in Las Vegas: reports

Canelo Alvarez vs. Jaime Munguia is set for May 4 in Las Vegas, according to reports.

Canelo Alvarez finally has his dance partner for May 4.

The undisputed 168-pound champion from Mexico will defend his titles against unbeaten countryman Jaime Munguia on Prime Video Pay-Per-View from Las Vegas, according to reports.

And he completed the deal with Premier Boxing Champions, the company from which he had split only days ago. That could mean a potential showdown with David Benavidez, a PBC fighter, is still in play for the fall.

No formal announcement has been made. And the site hasn’t been determined.

Alvarez’s pursuit of an opponent for Cinco de Mayo weekend seemed to be interminable.

He announced cryptically on social media a few weeks ago that he would fight an “American”, which most observers took to mean 160-pound beltholder Jermall Charlo. The two had been in talks for some time.

However, Alvarez (60-2-2, 39 KOs) and Charlo couldn’t come to terms. Alvarez then left PBC after the first fight in a three-fight deal, which some reports indicated stemmed from Alvarez’s refusal to commit to a fight with Benavidez in September.

That’s when Munguia (43-0, 34 KOs) became the leading candidate even though he’s not American.

Alvarez reportedly had been working with Matchroom Boxing in an attempt to nail down an opponent for May 4 – which is only two months away – but they evidently couldn’t get it done, which prompted Alvarez to return to PBC.

Munguia is a strapping 27-year-old from Tijuana, just south of the U.S. border. The former 154-pound titleholder is an improving boxer with a great deal of power, as his 34 stoppages indicate.

He’s coming off a brutal knockout of normally durable John Ryder on Jan. 27, when he put the Englishman down four times before knocking him out in the ninth round with new trainer Freddie Roach in his corner.

That followed a unanimous, but close decision over tough veteran Sergey Derevyanchenko last June, which was another significant accomplishment.

Of course, neither Ryder nor Derevyanchenko are in the class of Alvarez. That means we’ll learn exactly how good Munguia really is in this fight.

Alvarez is coming off his strongest performance in a few years, a near-shutout decision over Jermell Charlo (Jermall’s twin) last September. He had battled injuries in his previous few fights.

Meanwhile, Benavidez is expected to face Oleksandr Gvozdyk at 175 pounds in June, although no announcement has been made. Benavidez has said he will be able to come back down to 168 if necessary.

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Eddy Reynoso: No offer made for Canelo Alvarez to face David Benavidez

Eddy Reynoso: No offer was made for Canelo Alvarez to fight David Benavidez. Also, the Mexican star isn’t afraid of his rival.

Canelo Alvarez’s manager/trainer is setting the record straight.

Eddy Reynoso told ESPN Deportes in Spanish that he did not receive a $55 million offer for Alvarez to face David Benavidez, as Benavidez’s promoter Samson Lewkowicz reportedly suggested. And he dismissed the notion that the undisputed 168-pound champion is afraid of Benavidez as being “in very bad taste.”

Alvarez is expected to fight on May 4 but has not announced an opponent. And Benavidez reportedly is in talks to face 175-pounder Oleksandr Gvozdyk in late spring or the summer.

“The reality is that none of the big promoters, not Al Haymon from Premier Boxing Champions, not Eddie Hearn from Matchroom, not Bob Arum from Top Rank and not even Oscar De La Hoya from Golden Boy have given me an offer to fight Benavidez … and certainly not …Terence Crawford,” Reynoso said.

He went on: “Canelo Team has a direct line with Al Haymon and I really doubt that anyone from PBC will come out to support what [Lewkowicz] is saying for wanting to save the way he has handled his fighter. It is not our fault that Benavidez has not had the opportunities that they shout so much about. Our job is for Canelo to shine and continue to shine as he has until now.”

And he doesn’t understand how anyone could question Alvarez’s courage given his deep resume.

“I find it in very bad taste that they say that Canelo is afraid of him,” Reynoso said. “I don’t know how they dare to classify as fearful a fighter who did not hesitate to take the opportunity against Floyd Mayweather, who has been the best boxer of the last 20 years, a fighter who faced the fearsome Gennadiy Golovkin who was about to set a new mark [for knockouts], of defenses at middleweight and had knocked out half the world, a fighter who rose to light heavyweight risking everything to face Dmitry Bivol, who faced Miguel Cotto, who beat the best super middleweights of his time to make history.”

Reynoso reportedly has said that Alvarez’s opponent will be announced within a week. Jermall Charlo had been rumored to be the leading candidate but now fellow Mexican Jaime Munguia is in the mix.

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Eddy Reynoso: No offer made for Canelo Alvarez to face David Benavidez

Eddy Reynoso: No offer was made for Canelo Alvarez to fight David Benavidez. Also, the Mexican star isn’t afraid of his rival.

Canelo Alvarez’s manager/trainer is setting the record straight.

Eddy Reynoso told ESPN Deportes in Spanish that he did not receive a $55 million offer for Alvarez to face David Benavidez, as Benavidez’s promoter Samson Lewkowicz reportedly suggested. And he dismissed the notion that the undisputed 168-pound champion is afraid of Benavidez as being “in very bad taste.”

Alvarez is expected to fight on May 4 but has not announced an opponent. And Benavidez reportedly is in talks to face 175-pounder Oleksandr Gvozdyk in late spring or the summer.

“The reality is that none of the big promoters, not Al Haymon from Premier Boxing Champions, not Eddie Hearn from Matchroom, not Bob Arum from Top Rank and not even Oscar De La Hoya from Golden Boy have given me an offer to fight Benavidez … and certainly not …Terence Crawford,” Reynoso said.

He went on: “Canelo Team has a direct line with Al Haymon and I really doubt that anyone from PBC will come out to support what [Lewkowicz] is saying for wanting to save the way he has handled his fighter. It is not our fault that Benavidez has not had the opportunities that they shout so much about. Our job is for Canelo to shine and continue to shine as he has until now.”

And he doesn’t understand how anyone could question Alvarez’s courage given his deep resume.

“I find it in very bad taste that they say that Canelo is afraid of him,” Reynoso said. “I don’t know how they dare to classify as fearful a fighter who did not hesitate to take the opportunity against Floyd Mayweather, who has been the best boxer of the last 20 years, a fighter who faced the fearsome Gennadiy Golovkin who was about to set a new mark [for knockouts], of defenses at middleweight and had knocked out half the world, a fighter who rose to light heavyweight risking everything to face Dmitry Bivol, who faced Miguel Cotto, who beat the best super middleweights of his time to make history.”

Reynoso reportedly has said that Alvarez’s opponent will be announced within a week. Jermall Charlo had been rumored to be the leading candidate but now fellow Mexican Jaime Munguia is in the mix.

[lawrence-related id=40802,40773,40743,40515,39876]

David Benavidez vs. Oleksandr Gvozdyk reportedly in works at 175 pounds

A fight between David Benavidez and Oleksandr Gvozdyk for a secondary 175-pound title reportedly is in the works.

David Benavidez evidently is moving on, at least for now.

The 168-pound contender, who has coveted a showdown with Canelo Alvarez, reportedly has agreed to face 175-pound contender Oleksandr Gvozdyk for the “interim” WBC title in late spring or the summer, although the deal has not been finalized.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed on X that he has approved the matchup.

Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) presumably would not sign to fight Gvozdyk if Alvarez chooses to defend the undisputed 168-pound championship against his WBC mandatory challenger on May 4.

Samson Lewkowicz, Benavidez’s promoter, reportedly said that Premier Boxing Champions has indicated it would guarantee Alvarez $55 million to fight Benavidez, but so far the Mexican star hasn’t accepted the offer.

Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 KOs) appears to be a fall back opponent, although it would be an important matchup for Benavidez.

A victory over the 36-year-old Ukrainian would make Benavidez a mandatory challenger in two divisions, meaning he should be first in line to face Alvarez and in a good position to face the winner of the Dmitry Bivol-Artur Beterbiev fight for the undisputed 175-pound championship.

Benavidez would seem to be an ideal opponent for Alvarez in September, when the champion typically fights. Mexican Independence Day is Sept. 16.

Gvozdyk suffered his only loss against Beterbiev, a 10th-round knockout that cost him the WBC 175-pound belt in October 2019. He has defeated three journeymen since the setback.

He’s ranked No. 2 by the WBC, behind champion Beterbiev and No. 1 Joshua Buatsi.

Benavidez is one of the hottest fighters in the world, with consecutive victories over Caleb Plant (UD) and Demetrius Andrade (TKO 6) in his last two fights. He’s a former two-time 168-pound beltholder.

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David Benavidez vs. Oleksandr Gvozdyk reportedly in works at 175 pounds

A fight between David Benavidez and Oleksandr Gvozdyk for a secondary 175-pound title reportedly is in the works.

David Benavidez evidently is moving on, at least for now.

The 168-pound contender, who has coveted a showdown with Canelo Alvarez, reportedly has agreed to face 175-pound contender Oleksandr Gvozdyk for the “interim” WBC title in late spring or the summer, although the deal has not been finalized.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed on X that he has approved the matchup.

Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) presumably would not sign to fight Gvozdyk if Alvarez chooses to defend the undisputed 168-pound championship against his WBC mandatory challenger on May 4.

Samson Lewkowicz, Benavidez’s promoter, reportedly said that Premier Boxing Champions has indicated it would guarantee Alvarez $55 million to fight Benavidez, but so far the Mexican star hasn’t accepted the offer.

Gvozdyk (20-1, 16 KOs) appears to be a fall back opponent, although it would be an important matchup for Benavidez.

A victory over the 36-year-old Ukrainian would make Benavidez a mandatory challenger in two divisions, meaning he should be first in line to face Alvarez and in a good position to face the winner of the Dmitry Bivol-Artur Beterbiev fight for the undisputed 175-pound championship.

Benavidez would seem to be an ideal opponent for Alvarez in September, when the champion typically fights. Mexican Independence Day is Sept. 16.

Gvozdyk suffered his only loss against Beterbiev, a 10th-round knockout that cost him the WBC 175-pound belt in October 2019. He has defeated three journeymen since the setback.

He’s ranked No. 2 by the WBC, behind champion Beterbiev and No. 1 Joshua Buatsi.

Benavidez is one of the hottest fighters in the world, with consecutive victories over Caleb Plant (UD) and Demetrius Andrade (TKO 6) in his last two fights. He’s a former two-time 168-pound beltholder.

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David Benavidez’s promoter: Canelo Alvarez damaging legacy by avoiding top contender

David Benavidez’s promoter: Canelo Alvarez is damaging his legacy by avoiding the top contender.

David Benavidez’s handlers say undisputed 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez is only hurting himself by avoiding the top contender.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman on Monday told Boxing Social that  Alvarez has been ordered to defend the WBC title against mandatory challenger Benavidez this year or he’ll risk losing the belt. Alvarez is free to fight anyone he wants on May 4, which presumably means Sulaiman is thinking September for the showdown.

However, Sampson Lewkowicz, Benavidez’s promoter, said that he doesn’t expect his client to face Alvarez at any time this year. He and Alvarez’s handlers evidently have not had serious negotiations.

“Canelo Alvarez will make his legacy and his legacy will be stained because he did not fight the best at this time, which is Benavidez,” Lewkowicz told ProBox TV. “I think the children, maybe the grandchildren one day, will ask him why he did not fight Benavidez because [Canelo] says he wants the best fights, but that’s the best fight.

“Now he says he’s going to fight an American [on May 4]. At one moment … it was [Jermall] Charlo. Now we don’t know who the American might be. We have an idea of who it might be, but since I’m not involved in those negotiations, I can’t say who it is because I don’t know. … I do know that Canelo’s legacy will be tarnished.”

Lewkowicz went on: “Now if he fights [Benavidez], it doesn’t matter if he wins or loses. The legacy of him is going to be the best for me in the history of Mexican boxing because he went to fight the best, like [Julio Cesar] Chavez did, like Juan Manuel Marquez did, like [Marco Antonio] Barrera did, like so many top boxers did that have achieved glory.”

Alvarez said last Tuesday that he plans to fight an American on Cinco de Mayo weekend in Las Vegas but provided no further information.

Charlo is rumored to be the leading candidate but the 160-pound titleholder has been cagey when making reference to Alvarez, first saying that he hasn’t talked to manager Al Haymon since he outpointed Jose Benavidez Jr. (David’s brother) in November and then saying “nothing is official,” which seems to imply that he’s Alvarez’s choice.

Alvarez ruled out a potential fight with 147-pound champion Terence Crawford because of the weight difference.

The only other viable potential opponent from the United States would seem to be unbeaten Edgar Berlanga. The unbeaten New Yorker, who is scheduled to fight Padraig McCrory on Saturday, hopes to face Alvarez in May but Alvarez hasn’t indicated he’s interested in the matchup.

An announcement should come soon: May 4 is only 2½ months away.

David Benavidez’s promoter: Canelo Alvarez damaging legacy by avoiding top contender

David Benavidez’s promoter: Canelo Alvarez is damaging his legacy by avoiding the top contender.

David Benavidez’s handlers say undisputed 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez is only hurting himself by avoiding the top contender.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman on Monday told Boxing Social that  Alvarez has been ordered to defend the WBC title against mandatory challenger Benavidez this year or he’ll risk losing the belt. Alvarez is free to fight anyone he wants on May 4, which presumably means Sulaiman is thinking September for the showdown.

However, Sampson Lewkowicz, Benavidez’s promoter, said that he doesn’t expect his client to face Alvarez at any time this year. He and Alvarez’s handlers evidently have not had serious negotiations.

“Canelo Alvarez will make his legacy and his legacy will be stained because he did not fight the best at this time, which is Benavidez,” Lewkowicz told ProBox TV. “I think the children, maybe the grandchildren one day, will ask him why he did not fight Benavidez because [Canelo] says he wants the best fights, but that’s the best fight.

“Now he says he’s going to fight an American [on May 4]. At one moment … it was [Jermall] Charlo. Now we don’t know who the American might be. We have an idea of who it might be, but since I’m not involved in those negotiations, I can’t say who it is because I don’t know. … I do know that Canelo’s legacy will be tarnished.”

Lewkowicz went on: “Now if he fights [Benavidez], it doesn’t matter if he wins or loses. The legacy of him is going to be the best for me in the history of Mexican boxing because he went to fight the best, like [Julio Cesar] Chavez did, like Juan Manuel Marquez did, like [Marco Antonio] Barrera did, like so many top boxers did that have achieved glory.”

Alvarez said last Tuesday that he plans to fight an American on Cinco de Mayo weekend in Las Vegas but provided no further information.

Charlo is rumored to be the leading candidate but the 160-pound titleholder has been cagey when making reference to Alvarez, first saying that he hasn’t talked to manager Al Haymon since he outpointed Jose Benavidez Jr. (David’s brother) in November and then saying “nothing is official,” which seems to imply that he’s Alvarez’s choice.

Alvarez ruled out a potential fight with 147-pound champion Terence Crawford because of the weight difference.

The only other viable potential opponent from the United States would seem to be unbeaten Edgar Berlanga. The unbeaten New Yorker, who is scheduled to fight Padraig McCrory on Saturday, hopes to face Alvarez in May but Alvarez hasn’t indicated he’s interested in the matchup.

An announcement should come soon: May 4 is only 2½ months away.

Canelo Alvarez announces he’ll fight American on May 4, but who?

Canelo Alvarez on Tuesday announced that he’ll fight an American on May 4, but he didn’t reveal who it is?

Who is Canelo Alvarez going to fight on May 4? You can keep guessing, although now you have a clue.

Alvarez confirmed Tuesday on TV Azteca that he will return to the ring on Cinco de Mayo weekend, when he has typically fought. He didn’t reveal his opponent, saying only that he will be fighting an American.

That could mean that he’ll defend his undisputed 168-pound championship against 160-pound beltholder Jermall Charlo, who reportedly has been the leading candidate for some time.

It could also mean that 168-pound contender David Benavidez — the opponent most fans seem to be backing — or 147-pound champ Terence Crawford remain in the running to win boxing’s version of the lottery, although they appear to be longshots.

Alvarez hasn’t shown much interest in facing Benavidez, who many believe is his most significant threat in the division. And it seems unlikely that Crawford, who is No. 1 pound-for-pound, will move up three divisions to face one of the best fighters of the era.

Jermell Charlo, Jermall’s twin brother, jumped two divisions to face Alvarez and was overmatched in a unanimous-decision loss in September.

Alvarez and all three of the aforementioned potential opponents work with the managerial company Premier Boxing Champions, which limits obstacles in negotiations.

Alvarez’s comments also evidently mean that fellow Mexican Jaime Munguia, another top 168-pound contender, is out as a potential opponent for now.

Jermall Charlo (33-0, 22 KOs) returned from a 2½-year layoff on Nov. 25, when he defeated Jose Benavidez Jr. by a one-sided decision in Las Vegas.

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Canelo Alvarez announces he’ll fight American on May 4, but who?

Canelo Alvarez on Tuesday announced that he’ll fight an American on May 4, but he didn’t reveal who it is?

Who is Canelo Alvarez going to fight on May 4? You can keep guessing, although now you have a clue.

Alvarez confirmed Tuesday on TV Azteca that he will return to the ring on Cinco de Mayo weekend, when he has typically fought. He didn’t reveal his opponent, saying only that he will be fighting an American.

That could mean that he’ll defend his undisputed 168-pound championship against 160-pound beltholder Jermall Charlo, who reportedly has been the leading candidate for some time.

It could also mean that 168-pound contender David Benavidez — the opponent most fans seem to be backing — or 147-pound champ Terence Crawford remain in the running to win boxing’s version of the lottery, although they appear to be longshots.

Alvarez hasn’t shown much interest in facing Benavidez, who many believe is his most significant threat in the division. And it seems unlikely that Crawford, who is No. 1 pound-for-pound, will move up three divisions to face one of the best fighters of the era.

Jermell Charlo, Jermall’s twin brother, jumped two divisions to face Alvarez and was overmatched in a unanimous-decision loss in September.

Alvarez and all three of the aforementioned potential opponents work with the managerial company Premier Boxing Champions, which limits obstacles in negotiations.

Alvarez’s comments also evidently mean that fellow Mexican Jaime Munguia, another top 168-pound contender, is out as a potential opponent for now.

Jermall Charlo (33-0, 22 KOs) returned from a 2½-year layoff on Nov. 25, when he defeated Jose Benavidez Jr. by a one-sided decision in Las Vegas.

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